Top 10 Albums of the Year: Part Two
Finishing the list of the top 10 albums released this year, we have albums ranked 5-1. These albums are not necessarily better or worse than the albums they are above and below, but instead are ranked by my enjoyment of each one. Every one of the following records is a must-listen!
5. The Turning Wheel - Spellling
Another record reviewed in an earlier “Album Review with Alex,” Spellling’s “The Turning Wheel” changed the way I listened to pop music when it released in June. This record can fall under multiple genres, but progressive pop can be coined as its primary sound while incorporating indie rock and experimental sounds. Spellling, real name Chrystia Cabral, brings stunning vocals and intoxicating energy throughout the entire album.
3. & 3. Sling – Clairo & SINNER GET READY – Lingua Ignota
Comprising the only tie throughout this top 10, both “Sling” and “SINNER GET READY” bring very different sounds to the front, but both are fantastic in their own regard.
Previous readers will remember the lasting impression Clairo’s “Sling” left on me when it released in July. The jazz incorporation on her iconic soft voice and dreamy instrumentation creates a dazzling array of sounds and lyrical brilliance. The juxtaposition of the relaxation Clairo’s voice brings and the heartbreak her lyrics cause beautifully craft a both deeply personal and bleakly relatable experience.
“SINNER GET READY” on the other hand, brilliantly shines on its own through a sea of great albums released this year and is easily the most unique and jarring listening experience I’ve had all year. While this record is a great introduction to avant-garde music in a general sense, Lingua Ignota brings much more to the table with her questioning of Christianity and the morality of humans. No other musical moment took my breath away more than my first listen of “I WHO BENDS THE TALL GRASS,” and words fail to highlight its magnificence.
2. For the First Time – Black Country, New Road
When I first heard this record in February, I was convinced that it would stay my number 1 album of the year despite how early in the year it was. The jazz-core post-rock canvas this album paints on is addicting, and very few artists can create such vivid imagery while actively pushing the current musical landscape with every track on a record. Not a single moment is wasted during “For the First Time’s” entire runtime.
Before #1 is presented, it is important to recognize some of my favorite albums this year that barely missed the list. In order of my enjoyment from most to least, honorable mentions include: “Sour” - Olivia Rodrigo, “The Melodic Blue” - Baby Keem, “Bright Green Field” - Squid, “G_d’s Pee AT STATE’S END!” - Godspeed You! Black Emperor, “ROADRUNNER: NEW LIGHT, NEW MACHINE”- BROCKHAMPTON, “Home Video” - Lucy Dacus, and “Sin Miedo (del Amor y Otros Demonios) - Khali Uchis among others.
1. Cavalcade – black midi
Following the success of black midi’s debut album “Schalgenheim,” fans of the experimental rock scene were eager to hear what the London based group would do next. With releases of singles such as “John L” and “Slow” hinted at a more jazz-core record, the journey “Cavalcade” takes the listener through an organized cacophony of blaring highs and elegant lows. black midi’s intricate weaving of genres creates an electrifying experience, and I can personally vouch for the band’s energy translating to their live performances. “Cavalcade” boasts my favorite track of the year with “Marlene Dietrich” and my favorite closer of a record to date with “Ascending Forth.” This album is the definition of a must-listen.
